Photo diary of a stroll through Harajuku, Tokyo’s best shopping destination for alternative, punk and Goth fashion. At the Takeshita Doori entrance, a rainbow-decora girl was selling socks and accessories.

Nearby, the Maxicimam store holds cute and elegant Lolita dresses.

Keep walking and veer towards the right. There are Visual Kei memorabilia stores, as well as inexpensive punky-electro merchandise.

Further down on Takeshita Doori, there are two stands that sell crepes. Sadly, the pumpkin ones are only available around Halloween. But the takoyaki stand (on the parallel street to the right of Takeshita Doori) is terrific year-round.

Near Takuya Angel’s shop, a truck serves “yum yum yummy” food.

Next door is the Vivienne Westwood Closet Child. Everything here is secondhand.

Including the rocking horse shoes — the original ones!

Vivienne Westwood’s iconic hats and punk plaid.

Heart and cherry shoes.

Unfortunately, Westwood is expensive in Japan, even when bought used.

However, the cute character goods stores in Harajuku are easy on the wallets. A great place to pick up souvenirs.

The alternative shoes are also incredibly well-priced. 5000-6000 yen for studded boots.

You can’t go wrong with the bright casualwear from stores such as AC/DC, with items mostly under 3000 yen.